Perth Now
The painful truth about corporal punishment
THE Mayor of Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s call for the reintroduction of corporal punishment for juvenile offenders is a matter of concern — and misconceived at a number of levels.
Budgie Nine flip the bird at cultural respect
BEFORE we dismiss the Malaysian authorities as humourless killjoys who overreacted by locking up nine Australian blokes, we need to have a closer look at ourselves.
Forget the party, time for some policy
WHEN the current euphoria within the State Labor Party subsides, it might be time for them to come up with some policies.
Knee jerk defies logic of bail process
THE Ryan Clegg sex assault case which surfaced again in court this week is an example of a lot that’s wrong in politics today.
Euthanasia question demands answer
IF there’s one thing that gets politicians ducking for cover it’s the question of euthanasia. For decades they’ve been dodging the subject.
Perth expensive? I have proof to believe otherwise
PERTH is an expensive place to live, but a few weeks in Europe has brought home to me that the figure on the bill is just one aspect of the true cost.
Take leaf from tobacco in war on drugs
WORKING on changing attitudes and the social acceptance of cigarettes has gradually won the day. Compare this to the war on illegal drugs.
Greyhound racing ban is ‘a dog’s breakfast’
I HAVE always loved a night out at the greyhound races. Simple, unsophisticated fun. No need to dress up, none of the stifling etiquette required at Ascot.
New meth laws on a road to nowhere
WA’S new drug laws may be well-intentioned, but are unnecessary and unlikely to curb methamphetamine use in the state.
Why life ban may not be the answer
YOU drink, drive and kill someone. You forfeit your right to hold a driver’s licence forever. That’s fair isn’t it? I don’t think so.
The bravery of those in the saddle
IT DOESN’T take the tragic death of young Perth trainer Hana Dickson to reinforce the sheer danger ever-present for those who make a living in the racing game.
Politicians blind to ’bizarre drug parade’
PERHAPS it should be compulsory for politicians to do work experience in WA courts to witness the relentless methamphetamine parade played out.
‘Justice delayed is justice denied’
IF the old saying is true that ‘justice delayed is justice denied,’ then there’s a fair bit of justice being denied in WA at the moment.
Kalgoorlie will rise up over drama
AS a Kalgoorlie bloke, it did disappoint me to see 89 students this year have been suspended from the local high school. But I could hardly say I was surprised.
Grog lock hasn’t a remote hope
COMPLIANCE of the grog lock law will be virtually — if not actually — impossible for many people in remote WA. And that’s just the ones who want to comply.
Gender bias rules WA judicial bench
WESTERN Australia is the worst performer in gender equality on the judicial bench and in the highest echelons of the legal profession in Australia.
‘No body, no parole’ just doesn’t work
NOT so long ago WA Labor, to its credit, said that they were bowing out of the “crime and punishment auction”.
Pint-sized beer drinking no small issue
WHEN beer in smaller glasses stays colder and keeps its head (and yours) longer, why the trend towards drinking pints?
Bali charm gone as modern rush takes hold
TURN the clock back 25 years and Bali was a real cultural adventure. But now I’m starting to rethink my relationship with the island.
How we could be heroes, in the day
FROM the time I first heard (as a 14-year-old high school student) the haunting introductory chords of David Bowie’s Space Oddity, there was no escape.
Double demerits fail problem drivers
WHICHEVER way you look at it, the Government’s holiday period double demerit regime is not just annoying — it’s a failure.
What would Jesus be saying, Colin?
IMAGINE hypothetically the conversation that might ensue when Jesus arrived for Christmas drinks with WA’s politicians at Parliament House.
What more evidence do we need?
IN Adelaide last week a man named Henry Keogh was finally able to go to bed without a murder charge hanging over his head.
Australia’s hereditary racism shame
I AM regularly confronted by the level of ingrained racial intolerance in a number of people I encounter in the course of my job.
Lord Mayor’s conduct judged by voters
I CANNOT imagine anyone having much surprise at the re-election of Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi.
Open slather for Uber a curious thing
I HAVE seen some curious things in terms of law enforcement (and non-enforcement), but the Government’s tolerance of Uber is up there with the best of them.
Barnett bombs out fighting WA crime
THERE comes a time when a government needs to take stock of where it’s going and see if it is really on the right track.
Violence, drugs hand-in-glove
COMMUNITY attitudes have come a long way but sanctions alone will not make women safer or eliminate drugs.
Medical drama off footy radar
MILLIONS of dollars are pocketed every year by Subiaco Oval’s management — surely more of that could be spent ensuring better medical facilities for fans.
